Paul Goldschmidt waits for a throw from the pitcher as Jon Singleton safely dives back to first base.

Paul Goldschmidt waits for a throw from the pitcher as Jon Singleton safely dives back to first base.

Photo: Norm Hall / Getty Images

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Aaron Hill cannot come up with a ground ball.

Aaron Hill cannot come up with a ground ball.

Photo: Norm Hall / Getty Images

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Dexter Fowler, left, celebrates his run with teammates, including George Springer.

Dexter Fowler, left, celebrates his run with teammates, including George Springer.

Photo: Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press

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Paul Goldschmidt connects for a run-scoring double.

Paul Goldschmidt connects for a run-scoring double.

Photo: Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press

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Jarred Cosart throws.

Jarred Cosart throws.

Photo: Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press

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Josh Collmenter throws.

Josh Collmenter throws.

Photo: Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press

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Miguel Montero, left, wipes his head after Jon Singleton scores a run.

Miguel Montero, left, wipes his head after Jon Singleton scores a run.

Photo: Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press

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Aaron Hill, left, drops the ball for an error as Jason Castro slides safely into second.

Aaron Hill, left, drops the ball for an error as Jason Castro slides safely into second.

Photo: Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press

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Springer back in lineup; Altuve sits with oblique discomfort

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Jose Altuve, the All-Star candidate who leads the majors in hits and the American League in stolen bases, was out of the starting lineup for the first time this season because of a left oblique strain. Rookie right fielder George Springer, however, returned to the lineup after missing two games with right knee discomfort.

Jose Altuve, who has been making a pretty strong case for making his second All-Star Game, is sitting out Wednesday’s game due to an oblique injury. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

Altuve suffered the injury on a swing in his third at-bat Tuesday in Arizona, but he remained in that game. He lobbied to start again Wednesday in the opener against the Diamondbacks at Minute Maid Park, but manager Bo Porter didn’t want to risk making the injury worse.

“Like I said to him, it’s the same situation with George,” Porter said. “Two days (off) is better than 15. George took two days. His knee calmed down. The trainers gave him the OK. He’s back in the lineup today.

“Altuve obviously wants to play, but at the same time sometimes we have to protect them from themselves. We feel like if he gets treatment today and tomorrow he should be fine and ready to go.”

Heading into Wednesday’s games, Altuve led the majors with 88 hits and the AL with 24 stolen bases. He also has two home runs, 20 doubles, two triples, 22 RBIs and 33 runs.

“Jose Altuve is arguably one of the best players in our game,” Porter said. “It’s not something that I think you can replace. At the same time it’s the next guy up. Marwin (Gonzalez) is going play second base today and the guys that run out there we believe are going to give us an opportunity to win the game.”

Altuve is optimistic about being well enough to start the finale of the two-game interleague set on Thursday night at Minute Maid Park.

“It wasn’t that bad, but they said today would be a good day to be off,” he said. “I’m going to be ready for tomorrow.”